CRITCHARD James Jethro

What we know about CRITCHARD James Jethro

James Jethro was born 2 May 1874 in Axmouth, and was the eldest son of Thomas Critchard and Eliza (Potter). He was living with them and his younger siblings in the town until 1891 when he was known to have been working on a farm there.

On 2 July 1892 he enlisted in the Royal Navy for 12 years and served as Stoker on ships including HMS Vivid I & II, Terror, Buzzard, Pelican, Blake, Algerince, Collingwood, Hood and Leander until July 1904.

On 23 August 1908 he rejoined the service at Devonport and served until May 1918 on Challenger, Vivid II & Powerful. After the war Jethro, aged 45, married Mary Ann Ford on 17 July 1919 in St Peter’s, Budleigh Salterton.

Mary Ann’s father Richard was the one-time manager of the Gas Works. Jethro died 20 June 1920 in the Cottage Hospital, Budleigh Salterton and was buried in St Peter’s Cemetery, Moor Lane on 26 June 1920. (Grave D-07) Just a few weeks later, a son, Reginald Leonard Critchard was baptised 12 August 1920 in St Peter’s Budleigh Salterton. The family lived at 12 Jocelyn Road.

Sadly Reginald was killed 29th April 1944, aged 23 and is remembered with honour on the Rangoon Memorial as well as the War Memorial in Budleigh Salterton. He served with the 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. Mary Ann Critchard died 26 January 1964 – still at 12 Jocelyn Road, Budleigh Salterton.